The Health Benefits of Mangoes

Mangoes are tropical Asian trees which bear green fruits which turn yellow, sweet, juicy and fleshy when ripe. These fruits are abundant during summer in Asian countries such as the Philippines and India. Aside from their sweet, juicy taste, they are rich in amino acids, flavonoids, vitamins A, C and E, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and niacin. Your body needs these substances for optimum health and nutrition.

Here are some of the health benefits of mangoes:

1. It helps to prevent cancer.

Mangoes are loaded with phenols such as quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat, and enzymes that contain properties that help to prevent cancer.

The vitamins A, C and E in mangoes are potent antioxidants which help to protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals which can lead to premature aging and some forms of cancer.

2. It helps to promote eye health.

Mangoes are rich in vitamin A which helps to promote good eyesight. A cup of sliced mangoes can already supply you with 25 percent of your body’s vitamin A requirement. Eating mangoes on a regular basis can help to prevent night blindness, softening of the cornea, dryness of the eyes and refractive errors.

3. It helps in the body’s digestion process.

Mangoes contain natural enzymes that help in the body’s digestion process and aids in breaking down proteins. They also help in combating acidity in the digestive tract and they contain high amounts of fiber which facilitate colon cleansing and constipation prevention.

Young mangoes mixed with salt and honey is also known to provide relief from diarrhea, dysentery, piles, morning sickness, chronic dyspepsia, indigestion and constipation.

4. It helps to keep your skin soft and shiny.

Mangoes are not only beneficial to your stomach. They also help to keep your skin beautiful with its ability to treat acne. Its pulp, when applied on the skin for 10 minutes before washing, is known to open the pores of the skin which are clogged by acne. Regular consumption of mangoes helps to give you a fair complexion.

5. Mango leaves help to normalize insulin levels in the blood.

Mango leaves are used as an herbal remedy for diabetes. Many diabetics drink concoction made from boiled mango leaves for diabetic remedy.

6. It helps to improve your sex drive.

Mangoes are rich in vitamin E which plays an active role in regulating your sex hormones.

7. It helps to fight anemia.

Mangoes are one of the few fruits that contain iron which helps to fight anemia. Their vitamin C content also helps to facilitate the absorption of iron from vegetables and other food sources.

8. It helps to boost memory.

Mangoes contain Glutamine acid which helps to improve memory and keep brain cells active. This is especially helpful to children with concentration and retention problems.